However, the officer in question will be asked to attend a seminar or course on integrity and responsibility so that he would be more careful when carrying out his duties in future, he added.

Khalid, who also met ACA officers for an hour after the exco meeting, thanked the agency for quickly initiating investigations after the allegations were made.

The top aide was questioned by the ACA for about four hours on Tuesday for allegedly being involved in approving contracts for cleaning and garbage collection in Petaling Jaya.

The investigations were initiated after several people claiming to be PKR members lodged a report against the officer last week alleging that there were irregularities in the approval of the contracts.

Khalid said he had met the ACA state director and suggested that an officer from the agency be assigned at the mentri besar’s office to carry out further investigations and study how administrative procedures are executed ethically and responsibly.

On another matter regarding a posting in a blog “Another brick in the wall” stating that Khalid’s “secret relationship” with I-Bhd chairman Datuk Lim Kim Hong was now in the open, Khalid said: “I didn’t know that I had a secret relationship with him and to say that I do not know Datuk Lim Kim Hong is not true because I do know him.”

He added that as a former businessman, he had met and befriended many other businessmen.

“I can give you a list and quite a lot of them come to my dinner parties,” said Khalid, adding that there was nothing wrong in having business friends provided that there was “proper conduct” in the relationship.

In Shah Alam, the Selangor ACA director Jaafar Mahad said the agency had completed its investigations into the case.

It is learnt that the ACA interviewed no fewer than seven people, including officers from the Petaling Jaya City Council as well as those from Alam Flora.

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Roles and responsibilities of councillors

Roles and responsibilities of councillors

As part of the local council administrative system, councillors carry these roles and responsibilities.

As a committee member who makes decisions on approval for applications like planning, development, and licensing. Yet at the same time their actions should not be contradictory and against the policy decided upon by the local council for the public interest.

To advice the local government on matters relevant to their expertise and profession

To represent the people and the local community in matters pertaining to their living condition at the respective local council.

As a mediator between the community and the local council and to serve as the patron for their residents association.

To relay the feedback and response given by the local community on the quality of service given by the local council.

To be policy and decision makers. To draw a set of local by-laws as a guide for administrative purposes in solving the local issues and on how to give best service to the people.

To draw the policy to determine the direction of the local council and the direction has to augur well with the state and central government’s policies and at the same time meet what the people want.

As spokesman for the local council to ensure that policies drawn at the local authority are accepted by the local community.

To get a response from the community if there is any abuse of misuse of power or funds by the local council.

To encourage public participation on activities and programs organised by the local council.

Appointment of the councillors

The Local Government Act 1976

Section 10 (1) - the local authority shall consist of the mayor or president and not less than eight not more than 24 other councillors to be appointed by the state authority.

residing in the respective local council

Have wide experience and knowledge in local government affairs

Achieved distinction in any profession, commerceor industry

Able to represent the interest of the community they are serving

Editor’s Note: If you have any comments or views on this issue of councillors, please write to us at metro@thestar.com.my.